Best Video nominees revealed

January 3, 2016

Ahead of the nominations being revealed in all 37 categories, BenBoard chose to announce the nominees in two select categories. Today (Jan. 3), BenBoard revealed the five contenders in the Best Video category, and next Sunday (Jan. 10) the finalists for Best New Artist will be posted. The complete list of nominations will be revealed on Monday, Jan. 18.

The Best Video category has been presented four times before this year, making this year the fifth time it will be handed out. Previous winners include Bruno Mars (2011, The Lazy Song), Miley Cyrus (2013, Wrecking Ball), Lady Gaga (2014, G.U.Y.), and Sia (2015, Chandelier). Katy Perry has been nominated three times since 2011.

This year's lineup gives both Sia and Rihanna their second nominations in the category. Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, Jack U, Justin Bieber, and Drake all see their names for the first time this year.

"Elastic Heart," Sia -- As one of the first new music videos of 2015, "Elastic Heart" gained some controversy due to an adult and child dancing together wearing beige skin suits. Many viewers saw the video as an example of pedophilia. Sia, who co-directed the video, apologized on Twitter for any misunderstandings. The video has since garnered over 475 million views, and was the eighth most-viewed video of 2015.

"Bad Blood," Taylor Swift featuring Kendrick Lamar -- In the weeks leading up to the video's release, Swift announced many celebrity cameos on social media, including Gigi Hadid, Ellie Goulding, Hayley Williams, Jessica Alba, and Karlie Kloss, among others. "Bad Blood" won Video of the Year at the VMAs last August, and has a pending nomination for Best Music Video at the Grammy Awards.

"Bitch Better Have My Money," Rihanna -- Commonly viewed as one of the most explicit videos of the year, "BBHMM" was rated MA for violence, nudity, and vulgar language. In the video, Rihanna and her friends torture, intoxicate, and make fun of a woman who they appear

to have kidnapped. Despite its controversy, the video has been listed on year-end lists on Complex, Time, Huffington Post, and Entertainment Weekly, among others.

"Where Are U Now," Jack U featuring Justin Bieber -- Justin Bieber is back! Before his album Purpose dropped in November, he stepped alongside Skrillex and Diplo under their new name Jack U to appear on one killer song. The video has impressive visual effects, showing random pieces of art with Bieber standing in front of a white background.

"Hotline Bling," Drake -- 2015 was rounded out with what has become one of Drake's signature hits. "Hotline Bling," which does not appear on either of Drake's albums he released last year (If You're Reading This It's Too Late or What A Time To Be Alive), shows Drake dancing very randomly; the video's director Director X says he hopes the video "inspires men to dance more." The video has been parodied by celebrities such as Ellen DeGeneres and Bernie Sanders.

Voting in this category, as well as Best New Artist and the remaining 35 categories, will begin on Sunday, Jan. 31, and will continue through Monday, Feb. 29. The winners will be announced on Sunday, Mar. 6.